The Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) provided essential expertise from 1962 to 1972. Military advisers trained and led South Vietnamese forces in hazardous combat operations. As Australia’s most decorated unit, the AATTV earned 4 Victoria Crosses during its significant 10-year commitment.
In the early 1960s, the former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) faced serious challenges. The government was struggling against a growing communist insurgency, losing control of rural areas and dealing with unrest at home. To help, South Vietnam asked for support from the United States (US) and Australia. Both responded with offers of civil and military aid.
Australia’s assistance was limited but demonstrated loyalty to the US, its closest ally. The US wanted to avoid appearing to replace French colonial rule with its own, so involving countries like Australia made it look more like a joint international effort.
Military advisers
Australia sent 30 military advisers to South Vietnam, led by Colonel F.P. 'Ted' Serong.
The AATTV gave Australia a foothold in the country. It also put the 'Forward Defence' idea into practice – dealing with threats overseas rather than waiting for them to reach Australia.
Colonel Serong arrived in Saigon, South Vietnam's capital, on 31 July 1962.
The first AATTV group landed in South Vietnam on 3 August 1962. It was just 30 men – officers, sergeants and warrant officers – led by Colonel Serong.
This small team marked the start of Australia’s 10-year involvement in the Vietnam War.
Members of the AATTV served in South Vietnam for 12 months, with the option to stay another 6 months.
Over 10 years, the AATTV grew in size and ranks, reaching 224 members in 1971, just before Australia began to withdraw its military personnel.
How they worked
From the start, AATTV members were split into groups and sent across South Vietnam working with:
- the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN)
- local people in remote mountains
- the Civil Guard protecting key sites
- Ranger units
- US teams training militias and running the Phoenix Program against the Vietcong.
Until 1964, AATTV members weren’t allowed to join the troops they trained on missions. It was a rule that didn’t work in practice and hurt their reputation. Once this changed, they often experienced more combat than most other Australian units in the war.
By 1965, AATTV advisers went on patrols with South Vietnamese units and helped defend bases. Though officially trainers, they often took the lead and showed their skills in battle.
For many in the AATTV, serving in the war was lonely. They usually worked alone or in pairs, mostly within US teams attached to Vietnamese units. Because they were spread out, Australia had a presence across the country and could see what was happening beyond Phuoc Tuy Province, where most Australians served.
Withdrawal from the war
As Australia and the US began withdrawing their forces in 1971, the AATTV once again focused on training Vietnamese units to fight on their own.
The last AATTV members left South Vietnam on 18 December 1972, just over 10 years after the first arrived.
During its time in Vietnam, the AATTV became Australia’s most decorated unit of the war. Its members earned 4 Victoria Crosses and many other awards from Australia, the US and South Vietnam, mostly for bravery in battle, but some for helping the local people.